The Thrill of Elk Hunting: A Beginner’s Guide

Elk hunting is undeniably one of the most thrilling endeavors. How else would you describe an experience that pits you against one of America’s largest and most formidable ungulates?

But as with any outdoor pursuit, succeeding at elk hunting comes down to adequate preparation. And much of that preparation entails equipping yourself sufficiently so you can surmount all the challenges you might encounter on the hunting ground.

We’ve prepared a definitive guide to help you make the most of your maiden elk hunting trip. The article also includes invaluable tips that seasoned hunters may borrow.

1. Assemble Your Weaponry

The best way to set up your elk hunting trip for failure is to set off without the right weaponry.

As with most deer species, elk can be hunted with firearms or bows and arrows. However, firearms guarantee more accurate shots over longer ranges.

A firearm also provides better safety. That’s especially if you’re doing short-range spike elk hunting where your prey could easily charge at you.

30-06 Springfield is one of the most preferred firearms by elk hunters. The rifle stands out for its ability to generate enough force to take out prey from a considerably long distance, up to 1,000 yards away.

2. Practice Makes Perfect

It doesn’t matter whether you prefer elk hunting with a rifle or bow and arrows. Your chances in the hunting ground will depend on your shooting skills.

Therefore, it’s imperative to practice shooting with your weaponry regularly.

Constant practice can help avoid costly blunders while on the hunt. Be sure to intensify the training as the hunting season draws nearer.

If possible, conduct your routines in a terrain that mimics the ideal hunting ground. This will help familiarize yourself with common pitfalls and be better equipped at handling them.

3. Gather Proper Clothing

The importance of wearing the right outfits on a hunt cannot be overemphasized.

First, start by selecting weather-appropriate clothing. Insist on lighter garments if planning your hunting trip during warmer weather and heavier outfits if the trip will coincide with winter. And as a general rule, prioritize highly breathable and moisture-wicking clothing.

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Avoid clothes in vibrant shades of warm colors (yellow, red, or orange). Not only are such clothing easy to spot by prey. They’re also terrible at disguising dirt.

4. Understand The Best Season To Plan Your Hunt

Numerous factors can influence the ideal time to plan an elk hunt. They include the latitude, elevation, and season.

However, the specific season of the year should be your ultimate guide.

The peak elk rut season generally falls between the first day of fall/autumn and the first half of October. That’s the best time to plan your elk hunting trip, as the plains are literally swarming with these prey.

It’s also possible to elk-hunt during winter. That’s because these animals don’t hibernate and are easier to locate once they enter their winter ranges. Just remember to dress for the season, lest winter’s vagaries take a toll on you.

5. And the Best Time Of Day Too

Like most herbivores, elks tend to be more active during the morning and evening hours. These are, consequently, the ideal times to concentrate your hunting efforts.

The exception is during the rut, where the animals will be active pretty much throughout the day.

Night hunting is out of the question, though.

While much of the foraging happens at night, the conditions are unideal for humans to hunt. That’s partly because elk have better night vision than humans and partly because there could be other dangers lurking in the thicket. 

6. Know the Best Hunting Grounds

Elk are spread throughout the United States. However, their concentration in specific habitats vary by season of the year.

Colorado boasts the largest elk population by state, at 290,000. Other states that teem with these deer include Arizona, Montana, Nevada, Wyoming, Washington, New Mexico, and California.

In terms of parks, you can find elk in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and Yellowstone National Park in Montana and Wyoming. Others include the National Elk Refuge in Wyoming, Pigeon River County State Forest in Michigan, Elk County and Surrounding Areas in Pennsylvania, and Breathitt and Surrounding Counties in Kentucky.

As you research the hunting grounds, it’s also important to know that elk thrive in young forests and grasslands. These habitats provide their main food sources, such as grass and buds.

7. Don’t Forget To Tag a Friend

Elk hunting can be a treacherous experience for newbies. If you’re planning your maiden hunting trip, be sure to invite someone along.

The benefits of group hunting are immense.

First, having an elk-hunting buddy gives you the peace of mind knowing there’s someone watching your back. It also doubles your chances of taking out these often-aggressive beasts.

Hunting with a friend also allows you to cover more ground than if solo hunting. Besides, it’s an excellent way to bond and make lasting memories.

Remember…..

Not every elk hunting trip will go according to plan. In fact, some trips may fail terribly even after following an elaborate hunting plan.

The idea is to keep an open mind throughout the hunt and know when to call it off. As the saying goes, there’s always a next time, even if you don’t succeed this time.